Uploaded October 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Arati (Sanskrit: आरति) or Arti (Hindi: आरती) is a Hindu ritual employed in worship (part of a puja) in which light (from a flame) is ritually waved for the veneration of deities. Arti also refers to the songs sung in praise of the deity, when the fire is being offered.
Arti is derived from the Sanskrit word आरात्रिक (ārātrika) which means something that removes, darkness (or light waved in darkness before an icon).
Arti is said to have descended from the Vedic concept of fire rituals (homa/yajna). In the traditional arti ceremony, the flower represents the earth (solidity), the water and accompanying handkerchief correspond with the water element (liquidity), the ghee (butter) or oil lamp represents the fire component (heat), the peacock fan conveys the quality of air (movement), and the yak-tail fan represents the form of ether (space). The incense represents a purified state of mind, and one's "intelligence" is offered through the adherence to rules of timing and order of offerings. One's entire existence and all facets of material creation are symbolically offered to God through the arti ceremony. The word Arti may also refer to the traditional Hindu devotional song that is sung during the ritual.
Arti can range from simple acts of worship to extravagant rituals, but always includes jyoti (flame or light). It is performed one to five times daily, and usually at the end of a puja and bhajan session. It is performed during almost all Hindu ceremonies and occasions. It involves the circulating of an "arti lamp" or "arti plate" or around a person or deity and is usually accompanied by the congregation singing songs in praise of that deva or person. In most versions the plate, lamp, or flame represents the power of the deity. The priest circulates the plate or lamp to all present. They cup their hands turned down over the flame and then they raise their palms to their forehead. The blessing has now been passed to the devotee.
The arti plate is made of metal, usually silver, bronze or copper. On it must repose a lamp made of kneaded flour, mud or metal, filled with oil or ghee. One or more cotton wicks (are put into the oil and then lighted, or camphor is burnt instead. The plate may also contain flowers, incense and akshata (rice). In some temples, a plate is not used, and the priest holds the ghee lamp in his hand when offering it to the deities.
The purpose of performing Aarti is the waving of lighted wicks before the deities in a spirit of humility and gratitude, wherein faithful followers become immersed in god's divine form. It symbolizes the 5 elements:
Fire (agni)
Wind (vayu)
Water (jalam)
Earth (prithvi)
Space (akasha)
#varanasi #banares #india #indian #arti
Arati (Sanskrit: आरति) or Arti (Hindi: आरती) is a Hindu ritual employed in worship (part of a puja) in which light (from a flame) is ritually waved for the veneration of deities. Arti also refers to the songs sung in praise of the deity, when the fire is being offered.
Arti is derived from the Sanskrit word आरात्रिक (ārātrika) which means something that removes, darkness (or light waved in darkness before an icon).
Arti is said to have descended from the Vedic concept of fire rituals (homa/yajna). In the traditional arti ceremony, the flower represents the earth (solidity), the water and accompanying handkerchief correspond with the water element (liquidity), the ghee (butter) or oil lamp represents the fire component (heat), the peacock fan conveys the quality of air (movement), and the yak-tail fan represents the form of ether (space). The incense represents a purified state of mind, and one's "intelligence" is offered through the adherence to rules of timing and order of offerings. One's entire existence and all facets of material creation are symbolically offered to God through the arti ceremony. The word Arti may also refer to the traditional Hindu devotional song that is sung during the ritual.
Arti can range from simple acts of worship to extravagant rituals, but always includes jyoti (flame or light). It is performed one to five times daily, and usually at the end of a puja and bhajan session. It is performed during almost all Hindu ceremonies and occasions. It involves the circulating of an "arti lamp" or "arti plate" or around a person or deity and is usually accompanied by the congregation singing songs in praise of that deva or person. In most versions the plate, lamp, or flame represents the power of the deity. The priest circulates the plate or lamp to all present. They cup their hands turned down over the flame and then they raise their palms to their forehead. The blessing has now been passed to the devotee.
The arti plate is made of metal, usually silver, bronze or copper. On it must repose a lamp made of kneaded flour, mud or metal, filled with oil or ghee. One or more cotton wicks (are put into the oil and then lighted, or camphor is burnt instead. The plate may also contain flowers, incense and akshata (rice). In some temples, a plate is not used, and the priest holds the ghee lamp in his hand when offering it to the deities.
The purpose of performing Aarti is the waving of lighted wicks before the deities in a spirit of humility and gratitude, wherein faithful followers become immersed in god's divine form. It symbolizes the 5 elements:
Fire (agni)
Wind (vayu)
Water (jalam)
Earth (prithvi)
Space (akasha)
#varanasi #banares #india #indian #arti
